Portable conveyer.



No. 767,824. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. W. L. MGGABE.

PORTABLE OONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED 00129, 1902. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 767,824. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. W. L. McCABE. PORTABLE OONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 9, 1902. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i 1 ll! 1 I UNITED Srarns *Patente August 16, 1904.

PATENT Genres,

PORTABLE CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,824, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed October 9, 190

1'0 all LU/L077], it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM L. MCCABE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Gonveyers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in conveyers, and particularly to belt-cupping means therefore.

The object in view is the production, in combination with a suitable framework, of beltcarrying pulleys provided with means for facilitating their positioning to angles with relation to each other such as to support the conveyer-belt in a cupped or trough-like condition.

A further object is the production, in combination with a suitable framework and conveying means thereon, of means for supporting the conveying means in various adjusted inclined planes.

Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view in side elevation of a portion of a conveyer-frame with one embodito illustrate the interior structure.

ment of the present improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and showing the belt-cupping pulleys positioned in a horizontal plane, parts being broken away Fig. 3 represents a similar view with the belt-cupping pulleys adjusted to inclined planes, parts being broken away for disclosing the interior structure. Fig. represents an enlarged de' tail fragmentary view of a portion of one lateral and one central pulley, one section of the auxiliary supporting-frame, and the liftingcam therefor. Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail view of one of the auxiliary-frame raising and lowering cams. Fig. 6 represents an Serial No. 126,614.

(No model) brackets.

In the construction of portable conveyers.

after the manner contemplated by the present invention I employ a suitable framework 1, as indicated in the accompanying drawings, provided at each end with a belt-carrying drum 2, but one end of the framework being indicated in the present drawings. The drum 2 (shown in the accompanying drawings) is preferably formed with a circumferential comparatively broad groove, as indicated by a dotted line thereon, for the reception of a driving-belt 3, passed beneath a tension-pulley 1 from a suitable source of power (not show 11) past a guiding-pulley 5, arranged upon each side and formed with agroove inclosing the edge of the belt, each pulley 5 being vertically adjustable upon its supporting-shaft 6. The driving-belt 3 after passing the pulleys 5 and about drum 1 passes about drum 2 in the groove therein and thence returns to a source of propulsion, which is not indicated in the accompanying drawings, but which may be of any common type. A conveyer belt 7 passes about drum 2, above belt 3, and about a similar drum at the opposite end of the conveyer, (not disclosed in the accompanying drawings,) so as to be of the endless-conveyerbelt type.

Intermediate the ends of the conveyer-frame 1 and arranged to support the upper or conveying portion of belt 7 and spaced apart a suitable distance are central pulleys 8 and laterall y-arranged pulleys 9. Each pulley 8 is carried by a suitable shaft 8*, rotatably supported in sleeves 8 carried by a web 10, each secured to a longitudinally-arranged rail 11, the two rails forming a laterally-adjustable framework movable inside the main frame 1. Each mounted upon a suitable transverse brace 18. One end of each shaft 16 is formed square or polygonal, as at 19, for the reception of any suitable rotating instrument, as a crank 20. Each shaft 16 carries a fixed, preferably grooved, wheel 21, and a cable 21 extends longitudinally of the framework and connects all of the said wheels,whereby rotation of one wheel will rotate all the others simultaneously. Each of shafts 16 is also provided with a plurality of fixed cams 22, each arranged in the vertical plane of and contacting with one of the rails 11. Each of the cams 22 is fixed on shaft 16 at or near its end, so that said cams will raise the rails 11 as they are rotated in one direction and lower them when rotated in the other, a suitable flange 23 being formed upon the inner edge of the periphery of each of the cams for limiting said rails against lateral play.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that in operation the carrying portion of the belt 7 may be caused to travel either in a flattened condition, as indicated in Fig. 2, by having the free ends of cams 22 in their uppermost positions, or the belt may be caused to assume a trough-shaped condition by dropping the central pulleys through the lowering action of the cams 22, whereby the pulleys 9 will be caused to assume diagonal planes, as indicated in Fig. 3. It will be obvious that this cupping of the belt 7 may be accomplished by adjusting crank 20 to one of the squared ends 19 of the shaft 16 and rotating the same, or when the belt is in its cupped or trough condition it can be raised to a flattened condition by a reverse rotation of the shaft 16. Each cam 22 has its bearing surface, which contacts with the rail 11, flattened at each end, as at 24 and 25, extending beyond the center of the pivot of the cam, so that when the rails 11 have been raised and rest upon the ends 25' of the cams 22 they will be sustained in such condition without further locking means than their weight with the added weight of their sustained pulleys. WVhen in a lowered condition, the rails 11 of course will rest upon the flattened portion 2 1 of each cam 22 and will hold the same against movement. Each bracket 17 is formed with laterall'y=projecting lugs 26 and 27, and each cam 22 is formed with a pin 28, adapted to engage one of the lugs 26 0127, accordingto whether said caniis in its raised or lowered position, the engagement of the lug with the pin facilitating the retention of the parts in the given position.

In the loading and unloading of merchandise it is often found desirable to position the framework 1 to various diagonal planes, and in so doing the end of the framework is caused to rest upon any suitable base, and a brace 29, pivotally attached to the upper portion of the said end of the framework, is caused to engage said base for assisting in sustaining the 5 framework in position. The brace 29 is preferably carried by a vertically-arranged rod 30, pivoted in brackets 31, extending rearwardly from the end of the framework 1, and an auxiliary brace 32 connects the lower end of rod 30 to a sleeve 33, which surrounds and is slidable longitudinally of the brace 29.

The upper end of auxiliary brace 32 is adjustable longitudinally within the sleeve 33, so that the brace 29 may be swung upon its pivot 34 to any desired angle and secured in the given position, a set-screw 32 looking brace 32 in any given position.

In conveying articles the carrier-frame 1 rests with its lower end upon the ground, the rounded corners of each side of the frame supporting the same in an inclined plane, while the end of the brace 29 may be caused to prod into the ground sufficiently for assisting in sustaining the framework in a given position, such brace being adjusted, as indicated in dotted lines, relative to the incline of the conveyer-framework. Of course the upper end of the conveyor-frame rests upon some suitable support. Although I have specifically set forth the particulars of a given embodiment of the present invention. yet it will be understood that 1 do not desire thereby to limit myself to the minor details of structure, but shall feel at liberty at all times to deviate from the number, dimension, and to some extent the structure of the less important features of the construction to any desired extent comprehended within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework, of belt cupping mechanism mounted thereon, and verticallyswinging cams for actuating said mechanism.

2. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable main framework, of an auxiliary frame arranged therein, pulleys carried thereby, pulleys pivoted to said main frame and connected with the auxiliary frame, and cams for raising and lowering the auxiliary frame.

3. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework, of belt cupping mechanism mounted thereon, a pair of swinging cams supporting said belt-cupping mechanism, and means for effecting synchronous action of said cams for moving said belt-cupping mechanism.

AE. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable main framework, of an auxiliary frame arranged therein, pulleys carried thereby, pulleys pivoted to the main frame and having their shafts slidably connected with the auxiliary frame, and cams for raising and lowering the auxiliary frame.

5. Ina mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of

belt-cupping means arranged thereon, cams operating said means, shafts carrying said cams, and means for causing said shafts to move in unison.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of belt-cupping means carried thereby, cams for operating said means, shafts carrying said cams, and a cable connecting said shafts.

7. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of belt-cupping means arranged thereon, cams operating said means, shafts carrying said cams, a grooved wheel fixed to each of said shafts, and a cable connecting said wheels.

8. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable main frame, of an auxiliary frame arranged therein and formed with rails, pulleys carried by said rails, pulleys adjustably connected with said rails, and cams movably supporting the rails.

9. In a mechanism of the classdescribed, the combination with a suitable main frame, of an auxiliary frame arranged therein and consisting of rails, belt-cupping means carried thereby,'a shaft arranged beneath said rails, and cams carried by said shaft and supporting the rails.

10. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of vertically-adjustable rails arranged therein, belt-cupping means carried thereby, a shaft arranged transversely of the framework beneath said rails, cams carried by said shaft supporting said rails, and flanges on said cams preventing lateral movement of the'rails.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, rails vertically adjustable therein, belt-cupping means carried by said rails, cams supporting said rails, and means on said cams preventing lateral movement of the rails.

12. In a mechanism of the class described. the combination with a suitable framework, of rails vertically adjustable therein, belt-cupping means supported thereby, shafts arranged beneath said rails, cams on each of said shafts supporting-said rails, and means for preventing lateral movement of the rails.

13. In a mechanismof the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of belt-cupping means arranged therein, cams operating said means, a shaft carrying said cams, brackets carrying said shaft, lugs extending laterally from each of said brackets, and a pin extending from each of said cams adapted to engage said lugs when in given positions.

14. In a' mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of rails vertically adjustable therein, belt-cupping means carried thereby, and earns engaging and supporting said rails, each of said cams being formed with a straight fiat portion at its free end.

15. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework, of rails vertically adjustable therein, belt-cupping means carried thereby, and pivotallymounted cams supporting said rails, each of said cams having its free end extending beyond the plane of its axis.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework and conveying means thereon, of a brace pivoted at the rear thereof and retained against vertical movement, and means for adjusting said brace to various angles.

17. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable conveyerframe and conveying means thereon, of a brace pivoted to one end of the said frame and retained against vertical movement, and means for adjusting and locking said brace in various planes.

18. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable frame, and conveying means thereon, of a rod carried at one end of said frame, a brace pivoted to said rod, an auxiliary brace connected with said rod and acljustably connected with the firstmentioned brace.

19. In a conveyer, the combination with vertically-tilting supports for the edges of a belt and an intermediate support for the central portion of the belt, of mechanism for tilting said edge supports, and a cable. for actuating said mechanism.

20. In a conveyer, the combination with a main framework, of an auxiliary framework, belt-cupping means carried thereby, and cams engaging said auxiliary framework for moving the same in position for cupping the belt.

21. In a portable conveyer, the combination with a suitable framework of belt-supporting pulleys pivotally mounted thereon, cams for shifting said pulleys on their pivots, and means for simultaneously operating said cams.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable framework and conveying means thereon of a brace pivoted at one end thereof and retained against vertical movement, and means for retaining said brace in various adjusted positions and at various angles relative to the frame.

23. In a mechanism of the class described. the combination with a suitable frame and conveying means thereon, of a brace pivoted at one end of the frame, a sleeve slidably mounted on said brace, and an auxiliary brace engaging said sleeve.

2a. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a suitable frame and conveying means thereon of a brace pivoted at one end thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said brace, an auxiliary brace connected with said sleeve, and locking means for retaining said sleeve at various adjusted positions upon the first-mentioned brace.

25. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework and belt-cupping means carried thereby, of a shaft journaled in said framework, and means carried by said shaft for op erating the belt-cupping means when the shaft is rotated.

26. In a mechanism of the class described. the combination of a belt-cupping means and a cable for operating the same.

27. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a plurality of frames, belt-cupping means carried thereby, and a cable-actuated means for moving one of said frames with respect to the other for operating said belt-cupping means.

28. In amechanism of the class described, the combination with asupport, of a laterallytilting pulley engaged thereby and a cable for altering the plane of said support.

29. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a suitable support, of a tilting pulley engaged thereby, and a cable engaging said-support for raising and lowering the same. V

30. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a tilting belt-support. mechanism for tilting the same, and a cable for actuating said mechanism.

31. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of oppositely-positioned tilting belt-supports, a cable and means actuated thereby for tilting said supports.

32. .In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of oppositcly-positioned tilting belt-supports, a cable and means actuated thereby for effecting simultaneous tilting thereof.

33. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a vertically-movable support, of belt-cupping means carried there by, and a cable for moving said support.

84:. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with an adjustable belt-supporting pulley, of acable, and means actuated thereby for adjusting said pulley.-

35. .In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a belt-support, a cable and means actuated thereby for moving the support to various inclined planes.

36. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a main and auxiliary frame, said auxiliary frame being adjustable independently of the main frame, of a beltcupping support carried by said frames, means for adjusting said auxiliaryframe, and a cable extending longitudinally of said main frame for operating said adjusting means.

37. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework and belt-cupping means carried thereby, of a shaft journaled transversely in said framework, means carried by said shaft for actuating the belt-cupping means when the shaft is rotated, and a cable extending longitudinally of said framework and connected with said shaft for rotating the same.

38. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework and belt-cupping means, of a shaft journaled in said framework, and a cam carried by said shaft engaging said belt-cupping means.

39. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework and belt-cupping means arranged therein, of ashaft arranged in said framework, and a cable moving said shaft for actuating said belt-cupping means.

40. In a conveyer, the combination with a framework and belt-cupping means carried thereby, of a shaft journaled in said framework, means connected with said shaft'for actuating said belt-cupping means, and means connected with said shaft for operating the same for effecting actuation of said cupping means.

41. In a conveyer, the combination with a main framework, of an auxiliary framework mounted therein, and belt-cupping means carried by said main and auxiliary framework.

42. In a conveyer, the combination with a main framework, of an auxiliary framework, belt-cupping means carried between the main and auxiliary framework, and means for moving the auxiliary framework for operating the belt-cupping means.

43. In a conveyer, the combination with a main framework, of a vertically-movable auxiliary framework, belt-cupping means carried by said main and auxiliary framework, and vertically-moving means arranged beneath the auxiliary framework for adjusting the same.

44%. In a conveyer the combination with a main framework, and an auxiliary framework of belt-cupping means carried by the main and auxiliary framework, means for adjusting said auxiliary framework, and a cable for operating said adjusting means.

45. In a conveyer, the combination with a main framework, of an auxiliary framework extending longitudinally thereof and vertically movable within the same, belt supporting and cupping means carried by said main and auxiliary framework,a cable, and suitable mechanism actuated thereby for adjusting the auxiliary framework, relative to the main framework, for operating said belt-cupping means.

L6. In aconveyer, the combination of beltcupping mechanism and a pivotally-mounted cam for actuating said mechanism.

47. In a conveyer, the combination of beltcupping mechanism, a plurality of swinging cams, means for swinging thesame for actuating said mechanism, and flexible connections between said swinging means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two wltnesses.

WILLIAM L. McCABE.

IVitnesses:

ERNEST B. HERALD, JOHN A. WVHALLEY. 

